Nerve stump interface and axonal regeneration system for generating an electric field for promoting and guiding axonal regeneration

Abstract

The present invention provides a nerve stump interface for generating an electric field for promoting and guiding axonal regeneration and an electric field assisted axonal regeneration system. The nerve stump interface comprises a sieve having a plurality of holes. A strip is coupled to the sieve. A first electrode is provided at one of the plurality of holes and a second electrode is provided on the strip. The strip is arranged to space the second electrode from the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are for generating the electric field. At least one securing element is provided on a side of the strip to allow that side of the strip to affix against an opposite side of the strip. The present invention also provides a method for assembling the electric field assisted axonal regeneration system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A nerve stump interface for generating an electric field for promoting and guiding axonal regeneration, the nerve stump interface comprising
 a sieve comprising a plurality of holes; 
 a strip coupled to the sieve; 
 a first electrode provided at one of the plurality of holes and a second electrode provided on the strip, the strip being arranged to space the second electrode from the first electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode for generating the electric field; and 
 at least one securing element provided on a side of the strip to allow that side of the strip to affix against an opposite side of the strip. 
 
     
     
       2. A nerve stump interface according to  claim 1 , wherein a further securing element is provided at the opposite side of the strip. 
     
     
       3. A nerve stump interface according to  claim 2 , wherein the two securing elements are provided in the vicinity of opposite ends of the strip. 
     
     
       4. A nerve stump interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing element is a notch. 
     
     
       5. A nerve stump interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is disposed along a circumference of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
       6. A nerve stump interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is provided on a protrusion that extends from a portion of a circumference of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
       7. A nerve stump interface according to  claim 1 , further comprising a feeder extending from the sieve; and
 a plurality of contact pads provided at an end of the feeder opposite to the sieve, wherein each contact pad is coupled to the first electrode or the second electrode by a respective conductor. 
 
     
     
       8. An electric field assisted axonal regeneration system comprising:
 a guidance tube with an open end; 
 a sieve comprising a plurality of holes, the sieve disposed in a perpendicular orientation within the guidance tube, so that the plurality of holes faces the open end of the guidance tube; 
 a strip coupled to the sieve and rolled to form a generally ring shaped structure, the ring shaped structure having an orientation that is generally parallel to the sieve; 
 a first electrode provided at one of the plurality of holes; and 
 a second electrode provided on the strip, the strip being arranged to space the second electrode from the first electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode for generating the electric field. 
 
     
     
       9. An electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 8 , further comprising
 a feeder extending from the sieve to protrude from an exterior surface of the guidance tube; and 
 a plurality of contact pads provided at a portion of the feeder that protrudes from the exterior surface of the guidance tube, wherein each contact pad is coupled to the first electrode or the second electrode by a respective conductor. 
 
     
     
       10. An electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 8 , further comprising nerve growth termination substance disposed within the guidance tube, the nerve growth termination substance being located adjacent to a surface of the sieve opposite to the ring shaped structure. 
     
     
       11. An electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a hermitic container located at the end of the guidance tube opposite to its open end; and processing circuitry for the electric field assisted axonal regeneration system, the processing circuitry being packaged in the hermitic container. 
     
     
       12. An electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 11 , further comprising an inductor coupled to the processing circuitry, the inductor being disposed along an exterior surface of the guidance tube. 
     
     
       13. An electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first electrode is disposed along a circumference of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
       14. An electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first electrode is provided on a protrusion that extends towards the ring shaped structure. 
     
     
       15. A method for assembling an electric field assisted axonal regeneration system, the method comprising:
 providing a nerve stump interface comprising:
 a sieve comprising a plurality of holes; 
 a strip coupled to the sieve; 
 a first electrode provided at one of the plurality of holes and a second electrode provided on the strip, the strip being arranged to space the second electrode from the first electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode for generating the electric field; and 
 a securing element provided in the vicinity of each opposite end of the strip; 
 
 rolling the strip to form a ring shaped structure by having the securing element at each opposite end engage one another; 
 immobilizing the ring shaped structure; 
 removing excess from the opposite ends of the strip that extend from the engaged securing elements; 
 folding either the ring shaped structure or the sieve to be parallel to each other; and 
 inserting the ring shaped structure within a guidance tube. 
 
     
     
       16. A method for assembling an electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first electrode is disposed along a circumference of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
       17. A method for assembling an electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first electrode is provided on a protrusion that extends towards the ring shaped structure. 
     
     
       18. A method for assembling an electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 15 , wherein the ring shaped structure is immobilized using biodegradable glue. 
     
     
       19. A method for assembling an electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 15 , the method further comprising securing the ring shaped structure to an inner wall of the guidance tube. 
     
     
       20. A method for assembling an electric field assisted axonal regeneration system according to  claim 15 , the method further comprising sealing an open end of the guidance tube with a hermetic container, so that an opposite end of the guidance tube, adjacent to the ring shaped structure, remains open.